Vapor generator for form fitters and other apparatus



Aug. 5, 1952 F. M. PLATT 2,606,272

VAPOR GENERATOR FOR FORM FITTERS AND OTHER APPARATUS Filed Aug. 51, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ttornega F. M. PLATT Aug. 5, 1952 VAPOR GENERATOR FOR FORM FITTERS AND OTHER APPARATUS Filed Aug. 31, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 ZSnnentor Patented Aug. 5, 1952 UNITED A ES PATENT.

' o F cE varoa GENERATOR Foa FORM FITTERS AND OTHER APPARATUS martian. Platt, Brooklyn, N. Y. Applicationi'iugust 31, 1950, Serial No. 182,518

This invention relates to vapor generators for fcrmfitters and other apparatus and mo're' particularly to a device for subjecting a vaporizable liquid in a relatively fine stream or mist to relatively intense heat so as to effect substantially 12 chums. (61. 219 -38) and thus under considerable pressure when disinstantaneous vaporization of the liquid into-a I to press garments of nylon for example which might be injured by the heat of an ordinary pressing iron. V

In the past this has been accomplished by placing the garment upon an inflatable form and introducin into the form a quantity of steam and warm air under pressure. 1 The steamserves to dampen and heat the garment to the proper extent while the air serves to inflate the form and thus stretch thegarmentto remove any wrinkles from it and also to dry the garment upon the form so'that any moistening effect due to the steam will have been removed before the garmentis removed from the form. 'Thus, for thi process not only was a-steam generator'required, but also a'compressor' to furnish" air under pressure which served to inflate the form over which the garment was placed;

In the present invention I provide a device which is of simplified form and which is composed of relatively few and relatively small parts so that'it is not only self-contained-but also portable in that it may be moved from place to If the device is employed for pressing garments upon an inflatable form as described, I that vI may omit the use of compressed airfor' infiating purposes, the form being inflated bythe vapor itself which is, of course, greatly expanded 5 charged into the form, the pressure being due to the expansion of. the water when vaporized.

lhus, no source ofcompressed air is required so that my device needonly comprise a source of water. supply, a pump to deliver the water to the heating-units, the heating units themselves, and

thecontrols for'these components of the apparatus.

One object of the present invention isto proide a vapor generator of improved construction for use with form fitting devices, and for other purposes.

I A further object of the invention is the pror vision of a simple and relatively inexpensive vapor generator for use with pressing garments or for other purposes which will be of relatively simple construction and contain a minimum number of parts.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a vapor generator in which the vaporizable liquid, such as water for example, is supplied to a heating unit under considerable pressure and in a relatively fine stream or mist, the heating unit being maintained at a relatively high temperature so as to efiect a flash vaporization of the water, or-other liquid- Still another object of the invention is to providea vapor generator of the character described above in which two or more heating units are placed in series, the water or vaporizable liquid being instantaneously vaporized in the first unit and the vapor being then carried to and superheated in the second unit. I

To these and other ends the invention consists in the novel. features and combinations or" part to be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

. Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a vapor generator and form fitting device embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the device on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is asectional view through the heating units on line 33 of Fig. 2, some parts being broken away for the sake of clarity.

Fig. 4 is a'section'al view, of the first heating unit which effects the flash vaporization of the liquid; and

I Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical connections of the-controls for the apparatus.

' "To illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, Ihave shown'in the drawings a casing "l0 which is supported from the floor by ground 3 wheels so that it may be moved from place to place. As the casing contains all of the mechanism comprised in the apparatus constituting my invention, it is thus in the form of a self-contained unit which is movable to any desired location.

Within the casing I is mounted a liquid supply tan1 |2 designed to contain the liquid to be vaporized, such as water for example. A pipe l3 leads from this tank to the inlet of a pump l4 driven by the shaft l5 of an electric motor- Hi, the pump and motor also being mounted in the casing. The pump l4 may be of any usual construction and its details do not constitute a part of the present invention. From the outlet or delivery side of the pump l4, a pipe |'l leads to a vaporizing or heating unit l8 mounted in the casing, this unit being connected in series with a further similar unit l9 which units will be more particularly described hereinafter. While two units are shown in the drawing, in the first of which the liquid is vaporized and this vapor superheated in the second, it will be understood that more or fewer units, may be provided if desired. That is, for some purposes a single unit may fulfill therequirements, while in some other applications it might'be desirable to add a third unit in series with the two. illustrated.

These units are shown more especially in Figs.

3 and 4 of the drawings and each comprises a hollow cylindrical member 20 having a chamber 2| therein. Each of the members 20 is preferably made of good heat conducting material such as copper for example, and is supported in a container 22 and surrounded with heat insulating material 23 so that the members 20 may be heated to a relatively high heat without excessive heat loss.

Each of the members 20 of the heating units is provided with a plurality of through bores 24 and in each of these bores is inserted a rodlike heating element 25, the adjacent ends of these elements being connected by the bars 25 brazed thereto so as to connectthe elements 25 in series in order that they may be heated electrically. r

To the upper'ends of the terminals of the elements 25 are secured contact members 21 and 28. The contact member 28 of one element is electrically connected to'that of the other element by the conducting member 29 so as to connect the heat elements of one of the units in series with those of the other. The contact lower voltage to the heat elements 25,0f' the units l8 and I9.

Thus, the voltage of the current supplied to the heating elements is very low as compared to that of the source of current which exists in the cable 34. Preferably this low voltage maybe only seven or eight volts so as to supply a highampere current to the heat elements. This will maintain both of the members 20 of theheat units at a very high temperature, such for ex- '20 of the second heat unit l9.

ample as a temperature of 1100 F. which is desirable to effect a flash vaporization in the unit l8, as will be hereinafter described. The temperature of the members 20 may be regulated by a thermostat 36 to which is connected a thermoresponsive element 31 embedded in the member The thermostat 36, as will be explained hereinafter in connection with the wiring diagram of Fig. 5, controls the supply of current to the transformer 3| so that this current is cut off when the element 20 reaches the desired temperature.

The pipe I! leading from the outlet or delivery side of the pump M, as shown in Figs. 3

and 4, leads downwardly through a plug 40 which closes the upper end of the chamber 2| of the unit I8 so that the lower extended end 4| of this pipe lies within the chamber. The extreme lower end of the pipe is closed as shown at 42 and the pipe is provided with a plurality of relatively fine openings 43 through which the water or other liquid is delivered into the chamber 2|. As the pump l4 generates considerablepressure, preferably up to 100 pounds per square inch, the water is delivered to the chamber 2| in the form of a fine spray or mist and this mist when subjected to the high heat existing within the chamber is immediately transformed to a hot relatively dry vapor.

This vapor passes from the chamber 2| by means of the pipe 44 which passes through the plug 40 and which, as shown in Fig. 3, is led downwardly through the plug 45 which closes the chamber 2| of the heating unit l9 where its lower end 46 lies within the chamber 2| of that unit and delivers the vapor to this chamber. As this chamber is also at a high heat, as controlled by the thermostatic element 31, the vapor is superheated and passes upwardly from the chamberthrough a delivery pipe 4! which leads through the plug 45 to a point of delivery where the vapor is intended to be used.

I As shown in Fig. 1, a platform 50 may be provided upon thecase I0, this platform supporting an inflatable garment form 5| upon which may be placed a garment 52 to be pressed. The hot relatively dry vapor issues from the pipe 41 into the form 5| :under considerable pressure vdue to the conversion ofthe water into vapor at a rapid rate and not only inflates the form 5| but slightly moistens the garment 52 so that all of the wrinkles will be removed from the garment due to its extension over the inflated form. As the vapor is relatively dry and as it is at a high degree of heat the small amount of moisture applied to the garment will be quickly evaporated so that the garment may be removed from the form, after a matter of a few seconds, in

. pressed and dry condition.

The electrical connections between the various parts of the apparatus are shown in diagrammatic form in Fig. 5 wherein so far as possible the parts have been given the same reference characters as those applied in Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings and heretofore described. The current is brought into the case from an outside source through the wires 34, and the switch 33 controls the passage of current through the wires 32 to the primary of the transformer 3|. A pilot light 55 may be provided across the'wires 32 to indicate whether'or not the switch 33 is closed.-

From the secondary of the transformer 3|, wires 30 lead to the heating units 8 and IS. The thermostat 35 opens and closes the circuit 5| will deflate. removed.

through wires -56 and .El-which carry current from the wires .32 .to1thejs01enoid 530i a relay device which actuates a relay switch 59 to open and close the circuit through the wires 323to the primary. of the transformer 3!. It will be understood that when the unit It reaches the desired temperature,the thermostat 3.6 will be actuated to open the switch-i9 and thus cut off the current to the transformer. A pilot light to indicate whether or not current is being supplied to this circuit which will in turn indicate whether or not the unit It is at the required temperature.

Current is supplied to the motor is by wires 62 and 63 leading fromthe wires 32, which wires 62 and 63 lead through a-timer switch 64 of any usual form such that the motor IB may be operated for a pre-determined period of time and then automatically cut out. If, for example, it is desired-to apply the hot vapor to the garment 52 through a period of seven seconds, the timer 84 may be set for this period. The motor it may then be set into operation by actuation of the fittingapparatusforuse iii-pressing garments as shown in-the drawings is only one of the applications which may be made of the device and that this application is furnished as an illustration of one use of the device which is, of course, not limited in this respect.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that it is not to be limited to all of the details shown, but is capable of modification and variation within the spirit of the invention and within the scope of the claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a vapor generator, a heating unit comprising a member having a chamber therein, means for heating said member to a predetermined degree of heat, an inlet member leading into said chamber, said inlet member having a plurality of relatively small openings in the discharge portion thereof within the chamber to discharge liquid into the chamber in relatively fine particles, and a pump to supply liquid under pressure to said inlet member.

2. A portable vapor generator comprising a wheeled frame, a liquid supply tank carried thereby, a pump and a pump-driving motor also carried by the frame, means connecting the inlet of the pump to the supply tank, a heating unit comprising a member having a chamber therein, means for electrically heating said member to a predetermined degree of heat, an inlet pipe leading from the pump outlet and extending into said chamber, the end of said pipe within the chamber being provided with means to discharge a fine spray of liquid into the chamber, and a delivery pipe leading from the chamber to deliver vapor therefrom.

3. In a vapor generator, a heating unit comprising a member having a chamber therein, means for heating said member to a predetermined degree of heat, an inlet member leading '60 may be provided in the transformer circuit li' 6 into, seme -amber sai inlet m mbe avin .a plurality of relatively small openings in thedischarge portion thereof within the chamber to discharge liquid into the chamber in relatively fine particles, a pump to supply liquidunder pressure to said inlet member, a vapor outlet pipe leading from the chamber, and means cuttingoff said liquid supply after the lapse of a predetermined interval of time.

4. In a vapor generator, a heating unitcomprising a member having a, chamber therein, means for heating said. member to a predetermined degree of heat, ,aninlet member leading into said chamber, said ,inlet'lmcmberlhavin .3 plurality of relatively smallopenings in the discharge portion thereof within the chamber to discharge liquid into the chamber in relatively fine particles, a pump to supply liquid under pressure to said inlet member, a vapor outlet pipe leading from the chamber, a'second heating unit substantially similar to said first unit having a chamber, said outlet pipe leading into the chamber of saidsecondunihand deliverypipe leading from said last-named chamber.

5. In a vapor generator, a plurality of.. substantially similar heating-units arranged in series, each of said units comprising a member having a chamber therein means for electrically heating saidmembers to a predetermined degree of heat, liquid pump, means connected to the pump outlet to deliver liquidunder pressure to the chamber of one of said units in a fine spray, means to conduct vapor from the chamber of said unit to that'of the next unit,

, and means to carry the vapor from thechamber of said second unit-to a point of delivery;

6. In a vapor generator, a heating unit comprising a member having a chamber therein, means for heating said member to a predetermined degree of heat, a liquid pump having its inlet connected to a source of liquid supply, and means connecting the outlet of said pump to said chamber to deliver liquid thereto in a, relatively fine spray.

7. In a vapor generator, a heating unit comprising a member havinga chamber therein, electrical means for heating said member, a liquid pump having its inlet connected to a source of liquid supply, means connecting the outlet of said ump to said chamber to deliver liquid thereto in a relatively fine spray, and temperatureresponsive means to control said electrical heating means.

8. A vapor generator as in claim 6 wherein said member is made of heat-conducting material and said heating means comprises a plurality of heat elements embedded in said material.

9. A vapor generator as in claim 1 wherein said member is formed of heat-conducting material having a chamber at substantially the center thereof and said member being embraced by heat insulated material.

10. A vapor generator comprising a casing, a liquid supply tank, a pump, and a pump driving motor all mounted in said casing, a heating unit mounted in the casing, said unit comprising a member of heat-conducting material having a chamber formed therein, means for heating said member, means connecting the inlet of said pump to said supply tank, means connecting the outlet of said pump to said chamber, said means being arranged'to deliver liquid to the chamber in relatively fine particles to efiect flash vaporization of said liquid, and means cutting off the delivery of liquid to the chamber after the lapse of a predetermined interval of time.

11. A vapor generator comprising a casing, a liquid supply tank, a pump, and a pump-driving motor all mounted in said casing, a heating unit mounted in the casing, said unit comprising a member of heat-conducting material having a chamber formed therein,- -means for heating said member, means connecting the inlet of said pump to said supply tank, means connecting the outlet of said pump to said chamber, said means being arranged to deliver liquid to the chamber in relatively fine particles, a second heating unit substantially similar to the first unit, means for heating said second unit, means affording communication between the chamber of the first unit and that of the second unit, and a delivery pipe leading from the chamber of the second unit.

12. A vapor generator comprising a casing, a liquid supply tank, a pump, and a pump-driving motor all mounted in said casing, a heating unit mounted in the casing, said unit comprising a member of heat-conducting material having a chamber formed therein, means for heating said member, means connecting the inlet of said pump to said supply tank, means connecting the outlet of said pump to said chamber, said means being arranged to deliver liquid to the chamber in relatively fine particles, 2. second heating unit substantially similar to the first unit, means for heating said second unit, means affording communication between the chamber of the first unit and that of the second unit, a delivery pipe leading from the chamber of the second unit, and temperature-responsive means to control the temperature to which said members are heated.

'13. A vapor generator comprising a casing, a liquid supply tank, a pump, and a pump-driving motor all mounted in said casing, a heating unit mounted in the casing, said unit comprising a member of heat-conducting material having a chamber formed therein, means for heating said member, means connecting the inlet of said pump to said supply tank, means connecting the outletloi said pump to said chamber, said means being arranged to deliver liquid to the chamber in relatively fine particles, a second heating unit substantially similar to the first unit, means for heating said second unit, means affording communication between the chamber of the first unit and that of the second unit, a delivery pipe leading from the chamber of the second unit, electrical means to activate said heating means, and temperature-responsive means exposed to the temperature of said second unit to control said electrical means.

FRANKLIN M. PLATT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

V UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 7 

